April 26, 2014 - Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts as he is called for a foul during Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. (Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal)

So. Game 6. Grizzlies lead the series, 3-2, have never lost a Game 6 and yet stand as 2.5-point underdogs going into Thursday night's game at FedeExForum. Meaning, linemakers believe that the betting public believes the Oklahoma City Thunder will win Game 6 to force a Game 7 in Oklahoma City. At which point linemakers would surely establish the Thunder as favorites to win at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

In other words, despite holding a lead in the series, despite having a winning record over the Thunder the past four seasons, including a 7-2 advantage in overtime games, the Grizzlies enter the game in a comfortable role -- as underdogs.

As Mike Conley says in beat writer Ronald Tillery's advance of Game 6: "This team has been built off defying the odds and always being overlooked. This team, this year, is no different than other teams we've had here. We've thrived off beating the odds. We've motivated ourselves off it."

But as Geoff Calkins writes in his column, nothing in this series has been predictable so who knows what might be in store tonight at the Grindouse? (Do check out Geoff's column, if only for the adorable photo of the newborn with a growl towel).

This is the series in which Oklahoma City has made three four-point plays, two in the final minute, and has lost all three of those games. This is the series in which the Grizzlies have blown a five-point lead with 18.1 seconds left (and won), a 17-point lead with 7:44 left (and won), a five-point lead with 1:20 left (and lost) and a 20-point lead with 15:43 left (and won).

This is the series in which Kendrick Perkins sent a game into overtime by hitting his only shot, and in which Mike Conley sent a game into overtime by losing his only turnover. This is the series in which Perkins sat on Mike Miller, and in which Beno Udrih emerged as a folk hero, and in which Joey Crawford froze Kevin Durant before a critical free throw, and in which Oklahoma City fans booed their own team.

In his "Griz Insider" from Wednesday, Ron reminded us that Mike Miller basically chose between the Grizzlies and OKC in the offseason, and you will want to read how this series has borne out one of his main reasons for rejecting the Thunder.

Most of the talk in Thunder-land centers on one person -- presumed NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant. It is assumed he will win the MVP for his transcendent regular season, the best scoring regular season since Michael Jordan in his prime. If the Grizzlies can eliminate the Thunder and as expected Durant wins the MVP, it would be only the second time in the modern playoff history (since the 1984 expansion) that a team with the NBA MVP lost in the first round.

The only time it has happened -- in the 2007 playoffs, when Dirk Nowitzki and the 67-win Dallas Mavericks were upset by Golden State and Baron Davis.

Royce Young of DailyThunder.com asks, "Is this it?": But we've seen Durant for long enough to know he's a great one. He's not just some good player having a great season. He's headed for legendary NBA status, for history. He's better than he's played. And there will reach a defining moment for him where he has to make his statement. He's had great playoff games, hit more clutch shots than I can remember, and made countless plays in big spots. But as the series transitions to a literal must-win Game 6, it has to be his time.

Thunder beat writer Darnell Mayberry's advance is headlined "Kevin Durant needs to supply a signature moment in Game 6": Despite coming off his best season, a year in which he averaged a career high in points (32.0) and rounded out his game even more by becoming a better playmaker (5.5 assists) and defender, he looks fatigued, mentally, physically and emotionally spent from a season guiding his franchise through the most adverse injury situation in the Thunder era.

(That story also says Karl Malone won an NBA MVP award and was bounced from the first-round of the playoffs, but my research shows Malone won MVPs in 1997 and 1999 and his team advanced to the West semifinals both seasons.)

Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel's column is headlined, "Kevin Durant has become Mr. Unreliable in Memphis series": Durant is so out of sorts, he's not making hay even when Allen is on the bench charming teammates with his mercurial ways. The last two games, Durant has made just eight of 20 shots with Allen not in the game. Durant is so out of sorts, his foul shooting is mediocre — 28 of 39, a .718 percentage that is below NBA journeyman standards, much less Durant's own .882 career percentage.

And I definitely recommend Anthony Slater's day-after report of Game 5, which includes really good use of game clips to show how the Grizzlies have control of this series in no small part because of the Thunder's inconsistent, sense-of-entitlement defense. He also covers ground on what is really the Thunder's perhaps most vexing question as a franchise -- "How do you solve a problem like Russell Westbrook?"

There has been a bit of a heated debate Thursday morning on Twitter about the Oklahoman using the "Mr. Unreliable" label with Durant, though too many have lost sight of the fact that it is referring to this specific series. My own view of why OKC is limited as a championship team is basic -- Westbrook does not demonstrate the higher-level championship mental toughness and consistent court discipline.

A player like Durant needs a facilitator at point guard, not a ball-hogging, highlight-craving spectacle like Westbrook; surrounded with the right players and in the right system (offense and defense), Durant could and should average 35 a game while expending less effort.

And much more blame should fall on GM Sam Presti and OKC ownership; the Thunder might have won an NBA title last season even with Westbrook injured, but for the rush to get something, anything (even Kevin Martin!) for James Harden before he walked away (though I would also point out that OKC owners could have rewarded its remarkably loyal and consistent fan base by committing to paying Harden his market value, no matter the luxury tax penalties).

And yet -- this series is not over. I picked Memphis in six games, but I also wrote that should at some point Durant go otherworldly and carry OKC to the series win in 7, the Thunder would become my choice to win the championship. That can still happen. I'm not ready to make Memphis my title favorite should they win the series, but that's how good this first-round matchup is -- with both teams, you can envision an NBA championship run where the first-round series was ultimately the most challenging.